Be My Escape

Fighting

Present Day

Kaelyn's Perspective

A couple days later, we were in Kansas at the end of another day. Zack and I had been sort of flirting back and forth. I continued to try to do nice things for him, and in return, he'd get me Diet Cokes and Reese's cups at every rest stop, because they were my favorite. We were always brushing up against each other and he'd grabbed my hand and held it when we were just standing around talking, and he'd drop it again after a few moments. If Alex noticed this, he didn't say anything. He must have really been trying to redeem himself.

I wanted things to happen between us, but at the same time, I was terrified. Deep down, I knew Zack was different than Brandon. He was so caring and kind and gentle. He was the last person I'd expect to do anything to hurt me. But I hadn't expected Brandon to hurt me either. How did you come back from something like that? At least Zack seemed to respect where I was coming from and wasn't rushing me. I hoped that was the reason why, and he liked me too and I wasn't just being hopeful.

We were almost ready to get back on the road. I was already tucked into my nook in the back row. Most of our gang had already settled into their preferred spots, except for Lisa and Alex, who were talking outside the van. From what I could see and hear, Lisa was getting pretty upset. She was waving her arms at Alex, but he was just calmly leaning against the van with his hands in his jean pockets, occasionally giving a shrug or two. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but I heard Lisa say "I can't believe this, I just can't!" several times.

Finally, Alex climbed into the driver's seat, since it was his turn to drive, but Lisa didn't join him in the front seat. Kara and I met eyes from where she was sitting with Rian in the row behind the driver's seat. She raised her eyebrows at me and I nodded. We both got out of the van.

Flyzik groaned. "Come on!"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't get your Mickey boxers in a twist, we're just gonna go see if Lisa's okay."

Lisa was leaning against the van, trying to keep from crying.

"What happened, Lis?" Kara asked.

She took a shaky breath. "Alex dumped me!"

"Oh no, I'm so sorry," I said.

Kara and I flanked either side of her, each of us putting an arm around her shoulders.

"H-he said it wasn't anything I did, but I just feel like no matter what I do, I'm not good enough for him!" She sobbed.

"I'm sure that's not true," Kara said.

"Yeah, you're amazing, Lis. He doesn't realize how lucky he is to have had you at all," I said.

She continued to sob. "But it's been like this since we met my junior year! And now I'm about to be a sophomore in college and I'm still wrapped up in this high school bullshit and I fucking hate it!"

"I know," I said.

"C-Can you guys ask Alex if he'll drop me off at a hotel? I'll figure out how to fly back to Baltimore. I just don't want to be here anymore," she said.

"I'll go with you," Kara said.

"Me too," I said.

Lisa shook her head. "No, you guys should stay."

"But I don't want you to be alone right now," I said.

"Yeah," Kara agreed.

Lisa sighed. "Kaelyn, I want you to stay on this tour. Despite all the drama and Alex's bullshit, you need this, okay? You need to travel and see that there's more to the world than what happened to you. Please stay, for me."

"I'll call you every day," I said.

Lisa smiled sadly. "I'm holding you to that."

Thankfully, there was a hotel connected to an airport nearby, so we dropped Lisa and Kara off there. I felt bad about ditching Lisa in her time of need, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. Kara, Lisa, and I all sat together in the back row until we got to the airport. It felt like we were all alone in our own little world. Like the guys weren't there, just a few feet away from us, and whatever they were doing didn't matter.

After we dropped Kara and Lisa off, I moved into the front seat to sit next to Alex.

"S'up," he said.

I scoffed. "Wow, Alex."

"What?" He asked.

"You dumped your amazing girlfriend, who also happens to be my best friend, and broke her heart in the process, and all you have to say is 's'up'?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes. "I don't need this shit, Kaelyn."

I laughed bitterly. "You think I need this?! I feel like I'm torn in half because I want to stand by Lisa but you've been an amazing friend in the past--"

"Why don't you just mind your own fucking business?" Alex spat.

"You've made it my business, Alex. You dated my best friend--"

"You set us up and wouldn't leave well enough alone!" Alex yelled.

"I just wanted you to be happy!" I yelled back.

"Well look how that fucking turned out!" He yelled.

"I don't even know why you dragged me on this tour!" I yelled.

"Me fucking neither!" Alex yelled.

"Knock it off you two!" Flyzik finally yelled.

I groaned loudly and crossed my arms over my chest. I curled up in my seat towards the door, as if trying to put as much space between Alex and me. Not gonna lie, I was shaking. Not only because I was so mad at Alex, but because I was now scared of losing him and Lisa. My throat got tight and tears blurred my view of the brightly lit highway out the window and I hoped Alex didn't see me crying. He was normally one of the people I sought comfort from when I was upset, but I was so hurt by how he'd been acting and I was kicking myself for letting Lisa convince me to stay on the tour.